London Stansted Airport experienced a complete operational meltdown on Thursday following a major power outage that forced the sudden closure of the entire terminal. The catastrophic failure brought all departing flights to a grinding halt and left thousands of passengers stranded in chaotic scenes.
The crisis began in the early hours, with airport authorities scrambling to manage the situation as critical systems, including check-in desks and baggage handling, failed. Frustrated travellers were left in the dark, both literally and figuratively, as announcements confirmed all departures were suspended until further notice.
Passenger Pandemonium
Inside the terminal, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Long, unmoving queues snaked through the check-in hall as ground staff struggled to provide information without functional computer systems. One passenger described the scene as "absolute bedlam," with no clear guidance on when operations might resume.
An airport spokesperson issued a statement confirming the closure: "We are currently experiencing a significant power outage which is impacting all terminal operations. We are working to resolve this as a matter of urgency and will provide further updates shortly. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused."
Knock-on Effects and Travel Advice
The disruption is expected to have a severe knock-on effect throughout the day, with airlines likely facing a backlog of cancelled and delayed flights. Passengers due to travel from Stansted are being urgently advised to:
- Check their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
- Allow extra time for their journey if their flight is still scheduled.
- Expect significant delays and potential cancellations even after power is restored.
This major incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of critical travel infrastructure. For now, all eyes are on the engineers working to restore power and get one of the UK's busiest airports back on its feet.
